LEAD Program

LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) is a community-based program that recognizes and treats substance use and other behavioral health conditions as public health issues. Services address socioeconomic needs that may give rise to chronic low-level criminal offenses.

Goals of LEAD

  • Reduce rate of overdose deaths in Frederick County 
  • Reduce costs to the criminal justice system by providing support services in place of jail and prosecution
  • Reduce harm of substance use to individuals and the community
  • Reduce crime and recidivism
  • Improve community-police relations
Photo of staff

Eligibility

To be eligible for the LEAD program you must be a resident of Frederick County and be referred by law enforcement personnel. LEAD is a pre-booking diversion program that targets low level nonviolent offenses and addresses behavioral health needs such as mental health, substance use and/or homelessness prior to being involved in the criminal justice system.

How it works:

  1. During an interaction with law enforcement, an individual can be referred to LEAD as a diversion from arrest or civil citation. Referrals to LEAD are at law enforcement discretion. 
  2. Potomac Community Services staff respond on-scene and enroll the individual in case management services. 
  3. Participants work with their case manager to complete an assessment and support plan in order to obtain services and meet their individualized goals.
  4. Abstinence is not a requirement for this program. By addressing your behavioral health needs you will receive treatment and resources instead of incarceration  and charges.

LEAD Community Partners

For more information, call 301-600-1777 and select option 4 or email LEAD@FrederickCountyMD.gov.